Bridge Of Spies by Steven Spielberg, 2015 (PG-13)

with Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, Billy Magnussen, Austin Stowell, Sebastian Koch

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

Another Fascinating piece of history, and one of the first movie I see that showcase both sides of Berlin, portrays the issues the GDR encountered with its creation and its lack of recognition, and somehow the differentiation they needed to exist apart from the USSR. The topic is of course interesting in terms of justice, and the twisted turns of history that made this story so relevant. The movie is quite stylized, in a good way, but sometimes, Spielberg tends to add so much violin and emotional symbols it feels he is controlling the way we are supposed to feel. It is bothering.

Spotlight by Tom McCarthy, 2015 (R)

with Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Billy Crudup

In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

The movie is unpretentious, and takes us through the investigation process without taking us for stupid nor embellishing the story with climax and stylized cinematography. Its characters are real people, not heroes, the bad guys are not one-sided a-holes, or demons... It is a very particular theme as it unveils one of the toughest battle against the Catholic church and its almost absolute immunity. The historical context is also quite fascinating as it comes at a time where the main focus of the news is the attack on World Trade Center. Still, the impact the story had and the continuing research to convict those men who abused over the years children under the protection of the church is a definite must tell. Performance are impeccable, script is solid, definitely a contender for the Oscars. 

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight by Stephen Frears, 2013 (PG-13)

with Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black), Christopher Plummer (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Danny Glover, Benjamin Walker, Frank Langella (All Good Things, Superman Returns), Barry Levinson (Bandits, You Don't Know Jack), Ed Begley Jr., Bob Balaban (Deconstructing Harry), Muhammad Ali, Dana Ivey (Two Weeks Notice, Did You Hear About The Morgans?), Harris Yulin, Peter Gerety (The Legend of Bagger Vance), Fritz Weaver (The Thomas Crown Affair)
From the director of Dirty Pretty Things

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight looks at Muhammad Ali’s historic Supreme Court battle from behind closed doors. When Ali was drafted into the Vietnam War at the height of his boxing career, his claim to conscientious objector status led to a controversial legal battle that rattled the U.S. judicial system right up to the highest court in the land.

If you forget that the main character of the movie is Muhammad Ali, the court room and the behind the scene is actually fascinating. The power held in the hands of few, as politics of that time is so intricate, it is fascinating. It gets technical, and it is from a high sphere that you never really see. It is interesting, the actors are all quite impressive... you just need to expect a legal and political game, more than an entertaining documentary about a celebrity.

My Cousin Vinny by Jonathan Lynn, 1992 (R)

with Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei (Crazy Stupid Love, The Wrestler), Ralph Macchio, Mitchell Whitfield, Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith, Austin Pendleton, Bruce McGill (Fair Game, Lincoln, The Legend of Bagger Vance), Maury Chaykin, Paulene Myers, Raynor Scheine, James Rebhorn (The Game), Chris Ellis, Michael Simpson
From the director of Wild Target

When teenage buddies Billy (Ralph Macchio) and Stan (Mitchell Whitfield) are falsely accused of croaking a convenience-store clerk in a backwoods Southern town, Billy calls on his Noo Yawk cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), a fast-talking personal injury lawyer who's never tried a case. Vinny's crass demeanor lands him in hot water with the judge, but the lippy Brooklyn barrister has a few tricks up his sleeve. Oscar winner Marisa Tomei plays his gal pal.

I admit I laughed... To this certain point where I got tired of Joe Pesci. And then I laughed with Marisa Tomei's performance at the bar. I couldn't figure out if I had seen the movie before, but everything felt familiar, the sense of humor of the 90s, predictable gags, misunderstandings, New York attitude, out of place behavior. Anyway, It is a bit exuberant but witty. And if I understood well, already a classic... Sigh...

Watch trailer:

Adam's Rib by George Cukor, 1949 (NR)

With Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Holliday, Jean Hagen, Tom Ewell, Eve March, Marjorie Wood, Will Wright
From the director of My Fair Lady (which is probably my favorite musical ever...)

Successful attorney Amanda Bonner (Katharine Hepburn) decides to defend Doris (Judy Holliday), who stands accused of the attempted murder of her husband (Tom Ewell) and his mistress (Jean Hagen), while Bonner's lawyer husband, Adam (Spencer Tracy), signs on as the prosecuting attorney. The sensational trial that ensues finds them sitting at opposing sides of the courtroom -- and the dinner table. George Cukor directs this Oscar-nominated comedy.

Honnestly, there is a chance the next posts are going to be about the duo Tracy-Hepburn, I just got the whole collection for my birthday.
I have been told about their chemistry and love for one another, how cute they were playing couples in movies, of course her as a forward thinker, and him as an understanding man still shaken by the decisions of his wife. Very cute. Anyway, today was "Adam's Rib". Very funny. I have to say acting has evolved quite a lot since 1949, the over-dramatization of the wife killing (trying to at least) the husband was a bit tiring. Still, the movie flows, with great humor, romantic moments, drama, courtroom, a good plot and great dialogues. All we expect of a good movie. Even the narration of news, sometimes anticipated by the newspapers, sometimes summarizing, is a great way of telling the story and adding the outside perspective with a twist of wittiness. Why don't we go back to our classics and try to make good movies again?...

So, coming up, "Woman of the Year", "Keeper of the Flame", "Without Love", "The Sea of Grass", "State of the Union", "Pat and Mike", "Desk Set" and that's all, since I already reviewed "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner".

Watch trailer:

Puncture by Adam Kassen and Mark Kassen, 2011 (R)

with Chris Evans (Captain America: First Avenger, Marvel's Avengers), Mark Kassen, Vinessa Shaw (Side Effects), Michael Biehn, Brett Cullen, Marshall Bell (Total Recall), Jesse L. Martin, Roxanna Hope, Tess Parker, Kate Burton (127 Hours)

Drug-addicted attorney Mike and his business partner Paul take on a case involving an emergency room nurse who has been pricked by an infected needle. Uncovering a web of corporate conspiracies, Mike and Paul quickly find themselves outmatched.

A very smart movie on how politics are influenced by multinationals, somehow to the benefit of themselves, without counting good sense. In other word, it shows how frustrating the system is, how difficult it is to tackle it, and almost impossible to change as an individual. The movie is perfectly acted, shows the insights of the hospital system, the lobbying. This is a feel good movie, but from it, you can deduce easily that there are so many cases that are much darker. And even in that case, till today, plastic needles are reused in third world countries and in the US, a large amount of hospital haven't changed their needles for the retractable safety needle, there are still a lot of work to be done.

Watch Trailer:

You Don't Know Jack by Barry Levinson, 2009 (NR)

with Al Pacino (Scarface, Ocean's Thirteen, Simone), Susan Sarandon (Solitary Man, Jeff Who Lives At Home, The Company You Keep, Cloud Atlas), John Goodman (The Monuments Men, The Artist, Flight, The Princess and the Frog, Trouble with the Curve), Danny Huston ( X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hitchcock, Robin Hood, The Conspirator), Brenda Vaccaro, Delaney Williams, Eric Lange, Allen Lewis Rickman, Adam Mucci, Peter Conboy, James Urbaniak

Al Pacino stars in this Emmy-winning biopic that focuses on the life of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician who boldly advocated the legalization of euthanasia and personally helped more than 100 terminally ill patients commit suicide. Directed by Hollywood veteran Barry Levinson, the made-for-cable drama also stars Susan Sarandon as vocal activist Janet Good and John Goodman as Kevorkian's trusted friend and supporter Neal Nicol.

This movie is about euthanasia and for those who never really got into the dept of the subject, Jack Kevorkian was one of the character of our history the really insisted that you should not skip the question. Putting at risk his liberty. So it is interesting to see the journey, the opposition, and eventually build your own opinion on the character.

The Conspirator by Robert Redford, 2010 (PG-13)

with James McAvoy (Trance, X-Men: First Class), Robin Wright (Adore - Perfect Mothers, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Breaking and Entering, House of Cards, Moneyball), Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce, The Wrestler, Simone), Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Danny Huston (You Don't Know Jack, Robin Hood, Hitchcock), Norman Reedus (American Gangster), Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson (Duplicity, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Michael Clayton, The Ghost Writer)

Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.

At the very beginning of the United State, from a justice system that doesn't envy much to the present one for being much more sophisticated. And the movie doesn't try to avoid or forgive it. It is straight forward, and supported by major actors, and makes you question our foundations and the world still today.

Kramer vs. Kramer by Robert Benton, 1979

With Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander

"Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy. When he has learned to adjust his life to these new responsibilities, Joanna resurfaces and wants Billy back. Ted however refuses to give him up, so they go to court to fight for the custody of their son." IMDB

Interesting story, very contemporary still in its subject. I would be curious to know the law nowadays about these circumstances. And if in another time, things would have been different. Well, the ending of the movie put things back to place in a very politically correct way. But in reality?...